Preliminary study for the implementation of the “wave dragon” in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Abstract

The island of Gran Canaria offers extraordinary weather conditions for the exploitation of renewable energy. But it has also an isolated power system that is vulnerable and has low inertia. This fact limits the penetration of this energy on the network. Both wind energy and photovoltaics have an important development in the island, but both have clear disadvantages for its exploitation, due to its unstable generation curves, its lack of predictability, the fact that this type of energy can’t be generated continuously, and consequently, the problems due to its difficult management. In adition, talking about wind energy, should be noted that Gran Canaria is an ecological paradise, full of natural protected areas, and also it has a high population density. That's why the space for future energetic installations is very limited. However, the Canary Islands are surrounded by an unlimited ocean. The swell is able to supply part of the insular consumption through wave energy. This study analyze the energetic situation of Gran Canaria, the nature of its waves, and the different mechanisms and techniques for the exploitation of this energetic resource, giving an added value to those that allow to obtain quality energy to be poured into the network.